TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) today announced the appointment of Charlotte Curtis as the Bureau Chief for Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Network Operations and the Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs Director. In this role, Ms. Curtis will be responsible for overseeing a variety of CMS programs and functions and grants that provide services to children with special health care needs.

“I am pleased to have Ms. Curtis as our new chief for this vital program that greatly benefits children and families in our state,” said Interim Deputy Secretary for Health and Deputy State Health Officer for CMS Dr. Dennis Cookro. “Her vast experience in nursing will be vital in our efforts to provide a variety of services to those who need them most.”

Ms. Curtis has served as the Executive Community Health Nursing Director with CMS since 2006. Prior to being named the Bureau Chief, she served as the Director of Program Planning and Development and was the Acting Bureau Chief for CMS Network Operations since November 2011.

Ms. Curtis served as a Nursing Consultant with Maternal and Child Health, and as the Executive Community Health Nursing Director for the Child and Adolescent Health Unit in Family Health Services prior to joining the CMS team in January 2006. Ms. Curtis has been with the Department of Health since 1999, starting her career as a public health nurse in Leon and Gadsden County Health Departments. Ms. Curtis has been instrumental in the development, implementation and expansion of the first publicly-funded Pediatric Palliative Care Program in the nation, and provides technical assistance to other states who aim to replicate Florida’s Palliative Care Model. Ms. Curtis received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Certification in Public Management from Florida State University.

The Florida Department of Health’s mission is to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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